HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/05/1999 EDC MinutesMINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
2nd Floor Conference Room, Village Hall
Thursday, August 5, 1999
8:00 a.m.
The meeting of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the Village of Mount Prospect was held
on Thursday, August 5, 1999 in the second floor conference room of Village Hall, 100 South Emerson Street,
Mount Prospect, Illinois.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Norman Kurtz called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Commissioners John Arndt, Bruce Gillilan,
David Lindgren and Ben Trapani were present. Commissioner Patricia Biedar was absent. Also present
were Mayor Gerald Farley, Janet Hansen, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, and William
J. Cooney, Director of Community Development.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the March 4, 1999 meeting were reviewed and unanimously approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Cooney provided an overview of the current development projects in the Village. The overview
included a general discussion of the downtown projects. In addition, Mr. Cooney provided updates on
several Randhurst projects, Menard's, the potential ring road at Rte. 83/Rand Rd, R. R. Donnelly and the
Roadrunner cartage facility.
Chairman Kurtz asked for a status report on the proposed move of the general store from Route 83 and
Northwest Highway. Mr. Cooney indicated the Village Board had supported moving the facility to a Village
owned lot on Pine Street between Northwest Highway and Central. Mr. Kurtz indicated he felt this was not
a proper use of Village funds and there was not general support for the request. There was general discussion
amongst the Commission members regarding the proposed move of the facility. Mr. Lindgren motioned,
and Mr. Gillilan seconded, that the Economic Development Commission does not support the expenditure
of Village funds to move the old general store to the Pine Street location. The motion was approved
unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Impact of Route 83 Construction on the Business Community
Mr. Cooney indicated the Chamber of Commerce had conducted a meeting with the DesPlaines Chamber
of Commerce on the effect that the current road construction project was having on businesses on south Rte.
83. The meeting was well attended by businesses, the Chambers and local governments. He indicated there
was much discussion on what could be done short-term and long -term to maintain the viability of these
businesses. He indicated that he had pledged $1,000 of the economic development program budget to assist
Economic Development Commission
Minutes
Page 2
with advertising costs for an advertising campaign in the Daily Herald The Commission indicated its
support of this assistance. Members of the Commission indicated they would be interested in becoming
involved earlier in the process when future roadway projects are scheduled. They indicated that they could
serve as a conduit for local businesses during these roadway projects.
Business Resource Guide
Mr. Cooney indicated he had distributed a draft version of the Business Resource Guide for the Economic
Development Commission's review and comment. The members expressed their general support of the
document but indicated that larger print size should be utilized to ensure readability of the document. They
suggested possibly increasing the size of the document so that all the information could be included in that
document. Mr. Lindgren also suggested that the title of the document be simply "Resource Guide" instead
of "Business Resource Guide" since there is a significant amount of information that residents may take
advantage of. After further discussion, it was determined that it would remain "Business Resource Guide"
but that a separate document would be designed for residents.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Cooney stated that Janet Hansen had a request from the Chamber that she would like to bring before the
EDC for their consideration. Ms. Hansen indicated that the Chamber is having a difficult time raising the
appropriate funds to cover the cost of creating the Village Map/Directory that they do every 18 months. She
requested that the EDC consider supporting the Chamber's efforts in the amount of $2,300 to cover the cost
of production. After discussion, Mr. Trapani made motion, and Mr. Arndt seconded, that the EDC support
the Chamber's efforts by contributing $2,300 to the project. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Hansen
thanked the EDC for their support on this effort.
Mayor Farley indicated that the terms of Messrs. Trapani and Arndt were soon to expire. He requested that
each of these members consider another term on the committee. Both members indicated a desire and
willingness to participate on the EDC for another term.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
There was no Chairman's report.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Kurtz indicated that the next official meeting would be held on October 7, 1999, at 8:00 a.m. The
meeting was adjourned at 9:10 a.m.
Aug05 -99. DOC